![]() ![]() In mild frostbite, the tissue is numb and feels soft. When the skin is warmed after frostnip, it may turn red. Frostnip is common on the toes, earlobes, cheeks and fingers. It looks waxy and white, or lighter than usual. In frostnip, the skin may feel numb or normal. Using nicotine, which decreases blood flow to your limbs Wearing tight clothes, which impairs circulationĭrinking alcohol, which increases loss of body heatĭrinking caffeine, which increases dehydration Previous frostbite or other injury caused by cold Older age, especially if you already have circulation problems Impaired thinking (from psychiatric problems, medical illness, or substance abuse) Factors that increase your risk of frostbite include: The amount of damage depends on several factors besides the cold temperature, including altitude, wind chill, blood circulation and body composition. Additional damage can occur when the tissue is warmed again, because damaged blood vessels can leak fluid and proteins into tissue, causing swelling and blistering.įrostbite ranges from the superficial freezing of the topmost layers of skin, which is called frostnip, to severe frostbite that affects deeper tissues, such as muscles and bones. If areas of tissue exposed to extreme cold begin to freeze, ice crystals form in some cells and fluid flows into these cells. These areas include the toes, fingers, ears and nose.īody tissue will not freeze until the outside temperature is at or below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Frostbite is most likely to happen in body parts farthest from the heart, and those with a lot of surface area exposed to cold. The combination of cold temperature and poor blood flow can cause tissue injury. In extreme cold or when the body is exposed to cold for long periods, this protective strategy can reduce blood flow in some areas of your body to dangerously low levels. This helps to preserve your core body temperature. At or below 59 degrees Fahrenheit, blood vessels close to the skin start to narrow (constrict). Frostbite is the freezing of body tissues (skin, muscle, bone) in extreme cold.
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